New York apple growing season under way
New York apple growing season under way
The New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, announced that the 2005 apple growing season is underway as bloom began across the state, with some varieties already in full bloom in the Hudson Valley.
Western New York farms and orchards along Lake Champlain are expected to bloom in the coming days.
"This is an exciting time of year for our growers, and an overall high point for our industry as consumer demand for our apples continues to grow," said NYAA President Jim Allen. "With a new bloom comes new optimism for a good fall harvest.
Bloom has been slightly delayed this year due to cold, rainy weather. Sunny, mild days encourage blossoming and strong bee activity for pollination.
Millions of pink and white flowers will be blossoming from apple trees in the coming weeks, creating spectacular scenery. There are more than 7.4 million apple trees in New York state. Fruit develops from clusters of blossoms after they are pollinated by bees. In the Lake Ontario growing region, bloom is underway on many varieties. In the Champlain Valley, orchards were seeing green buds on trees the third week of May, and full bloom is expected there soon.
New York is coming off a huge harvest in 2004, when more than 28 million bushels were picked and fruit quality was outstanding. New York typically harvests 25 million bushels annually, ranking second to Washington in apple production nationwide.
It was the second bumper crop in a row. The 2003 harvest yielded more than 30 million bushels -- one of the bigger crops in three decades.
Meanwhile, consumer demand for New York apples is on the rise due to publicity about the health benefits of eating apples. Last winter, Cornell University researchers reported in a national study that apples can help prevent breast cancer. Five years ago, Cornell food scientists said that apples can help prevent colon and liver cancer.
Apples are available not only at supermarkets or at farms, but at fast-food restaurants as well. Recently, McDonald's unveiled its latest apple-related menu item, the Fruit 'N Walnut Salad, which features sliced New York-grown apples. McDonald's also offers Apple Dippers, which can be ordered a la carte for $1 or in Happy Meals.
Western New York farms and orchards along Lake Champlain are expected to bloom in the coming days.
"This is an exciting time of year for our growers, and an overall high point for our industry as consumer demand for our apples continues to grow," said NYAA President Jim Allen. "With a new bloom comes new optimism for a good fall harvest.
Bloom has been slightly delayed this year due to cold, rainy weather. Sunny, mild days encourage blossoming and strong bee activity for pollination.
Millions of pink and white flowers will be blossoming from apple trees in the coming weeks, creating spectacular scenery. There are more than 7.4 million apple trees in New York state. Fruit develops from clusters of blossoms after they are pollinated by bees. In the Lake Ontario growing region, bloom is underway on many varieties. In the Champlain Valley, orchards were seeing green buds on trees the third week of May, and full bloom is expected there soon.
New York is coming off a huge harvest in 2004, when more than 28 million bushels were picked and fruit quality was outstanding. New York typically harvests 25 million bushels annually, ranking second to Washington in apple production nationwide.
It was the second bumper crop in a row. The 2003 harvest yielded more than 30 million bushels -- one of the bigger crops in three decades.
Meanwhile, consumer demand for New York apples is on the rise due to publicity about the health benefits of eating apples. Last winter, Cornell University researchers reported in a national study that apples can help prevent breast cancer. Five years ago, Cornell food scientists said that apples can help prevent colon and liver cancer.
Apples are available not only at supermarkets or at farms, but at fast-food restaurants as well. Recently, McDonald's unveiled its latest apple-related menu item, the Fruit 'N Walnut Salad, which features sliced New York-grown apples. McDonald's also offers Apple Dippers, which can be ordered a la carte for $1 or in Happy Meals.
